Eight injured, 39 hospitalised following Salawa fire

Eight persons injured and a further 39 have received treatment for various ailments and discharged due to the fire at the Salawa Army Camp, the Director General of Health told Ada Derana. However, there were no immediate reports of casualties at the Salawa military camp where security forces are known to store some of their heavy weaponry and ammunition, including rockets, police said.

Residents in Salawa, 36km (26 miles) east of Colombo, were seen leaving their homes as police reported shrapnel hitting the main highway as well as the built-up neighbourhood.

Deputy Foreign Minister Harsha de Silva, who was travelling in the area, said there was traffic chaos as residents escaped.